BOSS Chris Hughton has backed Dale Stephens to be a Premier League hit for Albion.

Stephens has been a key figure for Hughton’s Seagulls in their last two seasons in the Championship.

That is set to continue now the midfielder has signed a new four-year contract.

Hughton told The Argus: “There’s always talk of what is a Premier League player? If I am looking at the qualities he’s got, there are certainly players in the Premier League of a similar quality who are doing well.

“He’s got to make sure he doesn’t change his game. He has played at a really good level for us in my time at the club. That doesn’t need to change.

“He has all the attributes of a good, Premier League player.”

Stephens’ deal ends months of speculation over his future after Burnley tried to buy him last summer and his contract ran down.

Hughton said: “We knew there was a desire for Dale to stay but you never know. Until he signs it’s the way of the game that there’s going to be interest from other clubs.

“Credit to how he has conducted himself right through it.

“The club have showed how much we wanted him to sign. In the end it’s Dale’s prerogative to look at all the options he has. We are delighted that in the end he saw us as better than any other option he might have.”